Rondo eyes matchup with Westbrook

For the past four years, Rajon Rondo has been catching the eyes of veteran point guards around the league as he developed into an All-Star. Now there is another up-and-coming player who has caught his attention.

‘He’s a mature guy,’ Rondo said. ‘He’s running the show, he’s getting his main guy the ball, and at times he knows when to attack.’

In just his second season in the NBA, Westbrook is averaging over 16 points and ranks eighth in the league with 7.9 assists per game. (Rondo is fourth with 9.8 apg.) Many of those have been dished to teammate Kevin Durant, the league’s second-leading scorer.

Not only is Westbrook moving the ball, he also is helping his team win. The young Thunder squad currently holds the sixth seed in the Western Conference and has just two less wins than the Celtics this season.

On Wednesday, the C’s will look to push that differential up to three wins when they face the Thunder at TD Garden. Rondo knows he will have to buckle down on defense to stop Westbrook. Both players scored 15 points in their first meeting of the season (a Celtics win) in December.

‘[I have to] try to keep him in front of me, keep him out of transition,’ Rondo said. ‘He loves to attack in transition, so just try to keep between him and the basket.’

Rondo understands how to stop Westbrook for a reason. Prior to the his first All-Star appearance, Rondo pointed out Westbrook as the player in the Rookie-Sophomore game who reminds him most of himself. He drew similarities between their quickness and aggressiveness with the ball.

If it were up to Rondo, Westbrook would have been joining him on the court in Dallas.

‘I think he could’ve gotten into the All-Star Game this year too as well,’ Rondo said. ‘Hopefully he’ll make it next year. He got overlooked, but he’s definitely a good player.’

Even though Rondo and Westbrook are only in their early 20s, Rondo believes this matchup has the potential to become one to watch over the next few seasons.

‘You know you’ll be going against him for hopefully another six or seven years,’ he said.